I love vintage/antique/thrifts stores. I’m not just saying that; stick around this blog long enough and you’ll find yourself raising an eyebrow at my obsession. I carry a pen and notepad (yeah, with actual paper and real ink) in my purse with a list of the current items that I’m looking to upgrade/enhance various spaces in the house. When I pop into a store, I pull out the pad and try to keep those items in mind as I browse. Without my list, I find myself dreamily fingering linens, teacups, or trays that I really don’t need and all focus is lost. So the list is key.
This week, I stopped in the local Bibles For Missions because they generally have the best stuff. All those retired Dutch ladies, with their knack for hard work and cleanliness, have everything wonderfully arranged and organized so it is especially a pleasure to browse.
My mission this time was for a frame, because I had an idea I wanted to try out. I went looking for the largest frame I could find with a modern finish. That’s when I saw it – this crazy quirky photograph of a Great Dane that I just had to have.
The Great Dane in the original frame was a whopping $1.50. I paid another $1.00 to put it in a better frame than the one it came in, and the large frame I ended up with for my project idea was a whole $4.00. Blew the bank that day, folks. But see what I mean about getting distracted?
Wanna know the coolest thing? When I was swapping frames, I noticed the back of the photograph had a “B-” written on it. This was someone’s photography assignment! I think they deserved a better mark. The composition is so awkward, it’s striking…
And the $4.00 frame? I used it to create a DIY version of retro art to put in our bedroom, which I am ever so slowly trying to decorate in a kind of 40s-50s glam type of style. It’s got a fair ways to go yet, but I’m in no hurry!
The smaller print was something I purchased in Zion National Park last year – we have a photo of hubby in pretty much this exact pose in a setting almost the same from a trip we took there some 10+ years ago. Knowing I was going to juxtapose these two frames, I sampled colours from the print to make the artwork.
Now the only thing this vignette needs is something on the table (the plant isn’t really there normally). What about a vintage chrome lamp or murano glass sculpture?
Pics are courtesy of 1stdibs.com and www.wayfair.com respectively.
Graphic designer. Daughter. Ex-engineer. Sister. Wife. Mom to three. Obsessed with colour. 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE that dresser. Where’d you find it?
Pretty awesome 2nd hand furniture place right here in London called “Funky Find”. They have a Facebook page and they update it with photos of any new items that come in so I get a chance to preview them before heading out!
Oh! And where did the Great Dane end up?
It’s hung above the calendar in the kitchen so I can smile every time I consult it…hey I like that we can chat this way!! Would love to know about any happy finds you’ve had recently!
You must log in to post a comment.